Something Missing in 2009

I do not think that 2009 will go down in the annuls of history as a "fantastically happy" year. At least, in my own personal life I do not feel that it was all it could be. So I made a short list to see if I could pinpoint the problem.

• Financial stress was at every turn with my husband, mother, uncle and millions of others who lost their jobs due to the economic crisis we are still experiencing.
  
• I can not escape politics on the television or radio.
• There was a huge stock market crash.
• There are "closed" businesses everywhere.
  
• Alyssa is becoming more mature and independent.
• My health has improved and I lost 23 lbs.
• I started blogging and met some really super people!
• I created 8 blogs.
  
• I have a roof over my head, food on my plate and clothes on my back.
• My sister got married.
• I love my job and the people I work with every day.

In a nutshell, it is a combination of them all.

I have worried so much this year that I have been unable to enjoy it or be as personally productive at home.

I have let doubt and fear ruin my year!

Worry is like a rocking chair--
it gives you something to do
but it doesn't get you anywhere

When we toast our chocolate covered maraschino cherries at midnight (a tradition Alyssa and I started when she was a little tiny girl), I am going to let 2009 go away and welcome the fresh start of 2010. With eyes wide open, fear and worry will have to give way to concern, opportunity and solutions.

The new year offers a revitalized attitude just in the essence of it being unfettered with history.

A chocolate covered maraschino cherry toast for you all:

May the pain you have known
and the conflict you have experienced
give you the strength to
walk through life facing
each new situation with
courage and optimism.

Happy New Year!



--->How to make Chocolate Covered Cherries with lots of photos

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A Wormy Feast

During our Christmas dinner together, I was reminded of an incident that happened when my niece, Brittany was young. You can imagine how cute she was with her bubbly personality and bouncy red curls. The apple of her auntie's eye!

Brittany was an inquisitive little girl. We were always reading books or watching shows that taught us things which made us a walking library crossed with the Discovery channel. On top of everything, she was always doing the unexpected.

One day Brittany picked up one of those really tiny, tiny, wiggly worms and plopped it into her mouth.

Oh yes!

Half the worm in her mouth and the other half sticking out between her lips wiggling back and forth and all over the place.

Mom screamed.

My sister (Brittany's mother) screamed.

Then her mother did everything she could to get the worm out of Brittany's mouth...intact.

She did, and the slobbery, wiggly worm was promptly tossed in the toilet I think.

That's funny, but even funnier is that this story came up while we were eating Christmas dinner a few days ago.

It didn't really bother anyone...

except Brittany...

who asked that we change the subject because she was feeling sick.

I guess she doesn't like thinking about a wiggly worm in her mouth.

Just imagine if she had swallowed it!

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How Well Does She Know?

A daughter is a little girl
who grows up to be a friend.


My daughter, as you are probably well aware by now, is 16 going on 27. Alyssa is also very smart and tender-hearted. I have spent every possible moment with her because being a mother is what i have wanted to do since I was four years old. Some of those moments she wished I had been far away because I am a bit clingy and now that she is getting older I am having a hard time "letting go" of my precious pearl. That's what happens when you have one child.

Anyway, I was reading Stir Fry Awesomeness last night and she posted some cute questions that she used to interview her small children. I thought it would be fun to ask Alyssa the same questions since she is older and maybe I would get a whole different group of answers that would either show she totally knows me or she doesn't really know me at all! So I held my breath and started asking her...


What is something mom always says to you?

Alyssaaaaaaaaaaaa

What makes mom happy?

Me and Evette

What makes mom sad?

Eating the last eclair

How does your mom make you laugh?

When she is acting stupid (me? act stupid?)

What was your mom like as a child?

Carrot head nerd (such a lovely answer!)

How old is your mom?

Old (great! I have another birthday soon too)

How tall is your mom?

5'8 (actually 5'8 1/4")

What is her favorite thing to do?

Write this blog and not sleep

What does your mom do when you're not around?

Write on her blog and not sleep (she is such a smarty pants)

If your mom is on TV for something, what will it be for?

The most times ever being proposed to (we won't talk about this one)

What is your mom really good at?

Making things with beans (not to eat...LOL...craft things!)

What is your mom not very good at?

Sleeping

What is your mom's favorite food?

Anything with sugar in it

What makes you proud of your mom?

She is so dedicated to anything she puts her mind to :o)

If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Mix between Daffy Duck, Woody Woodpecker and Gumby

What do you and your mom do together?

Have totally random conversations (I think this is good LOL)

How are you and your mom the same?

Too many things (This is excellent although she doesn't think so!)

How are you and your mom different?

Not many things these days.

How do you know your mom loves you?

Just a known fact (aaahhh I like this answer)

Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Vermont (yep, cows, snow, cheese and Robert Frost)

What does your mom do for a job?

Stuff on computers - the jobs of four people (she always says that)

Actually, she does know me quite well. I don't even have to say anything sometimes and she will still know what I am thinking. Unfortunately for her, sometimes the opposites is true. It also helps that she gets this certain look on her face if she is telling a half truth. I always say, "I can see the devil dancing in your eyes" and then she knows she's doomed.

A daughter is the
happy memories of the past,
the joyful moments of the present,
and the hope and promise
of the future.

How well do you think your children know you?

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Men And Their Jokes

Did you ever wonder what kind of jokes men pass along to other men?

I have one...

I didn't hack into a man's email...

Although it isn't that hard to do...

And it wouldn't have been the first time...

But that isn't what we are talking about right now...

The joke was given to me because I'm known to truly appreciate a man's point of view and humor...

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
The girl said, 'NO!'
And the guy lived happily ever after
and road motorcycles and went fishing and hunting
and played golf a lot and drank beer and scotch
and had tons of money in the bank and
left the toilet seat up and
let wind whenever he wanted.

The End

The first time I read this joke, I couldn't stop laughing.

Does it or does it (yes, I meant to say that twice) really explain "men" in general?

It captures their essence - Men are so carefree, happy-go-lucky, non-worrying, one-thought-at-a-time people. Men and women are truly at opposing ends of the spectrum.

How do we ever get along? Well, we meet in the middle - pun can be intended if you get it.

Compromise requires unselfishness.

Those are the keys to a happy marriage. If both partners are unselfish and willing to compromise, there isn't anything that can't be conquered together.

Compromise, if not the spice of life,
is its solidity.
It is what makes nations great
and marriages happy.

Am I able to give this advice because I have a perfect marriage? Oh please! Does anyone have a perfect marriage? If you do, please email me so that I can interview you for a posting on my blog because we all need to hear what you have to say.

I can tell you I know that compromise and unselfishness is key to a successful marriage because I have read a billion books, listened to millions of married people and am now working on my second marriage. I've learned a few things during the last 26 years - some of it the hard way...the really hard way.

So believe me when I say, "Practice being unselfish and compromise" - Everything can't be your way all the time. That's so hard for us as women because we know how we want it done and why we want it done that way. We don't want to have to explain it either. But we need to - we will be better people,

better women,

better wives,

better mothers,

better friends.

We all can get along if we stop focusing on being right and having it our way

Compromise and unselfishness go a long way.

Try not to criticize your husband's faults.
Remember there may be these little
imperfections in him that
prevented him from choosing
a better wife.

Hmmm...that's food for thought. How do you rate yourself with compromise and unselfishness?

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The Shopping Cart Handle

What is the difference between
Bird Flu and Swine Flu?

For bird flu you need tweetment and

For swine flu you need oinkment

I went to Walmart...before I go further, I am not one of those Walmart people that you see pictures of looking TOTALLY hideous in the weirdest attire possible. I was wearing jeans, a sweater (an old lady sweater per Alyssa since it had Christmas embroidered things on it), sneakers, my makeup and my hair "fixed" as usual. They are the cheapest place to buy groceries and although I hate it, I have to go there for my economic survival.

Anyway, as I was approaching the store, the first thing I thought was "Do I need a shopping cart?"

I went through my short list in my head.

The next thought, quite apprehensively, was that I did indeed need a cart. As I approached the plastic adorned metal box on uneven, goo stuck wheels, I knew that I had to touch the handles.

I looked around at the people heading for the shopping cart corral.

Half looked unbathed with hair that stuck off their heads like venomous snakes ready to attack anyone that ventured too close. The demeanor of the face adorned by these snakes was also not any kinder.

A fourth of shoppers looked like respectable albeit grumpy people. I would include all those women who were dressed to the nines with high heels and gobs of jewelry. A smile would have actually helped them to look attractive. I don't understand why so many women want to dress up to go grocery shopping in Walmart, but to each their own. At least their hair wasn't going to attack me.

The last fourth were germ infested, smiling, beautiful, little angel children. Many of these priceless pearls would climb into the front of the shopping cart or were placed in the back of the shopping cart. I would have to say that a large portion of these most loving humans on the earth would suck or lick various parts of the cart or do the same to their hands and then touch the cart. Then there were also those sweet bumpkins who would wipe their nose with a tiny little hand and then touch the cart.

Now, it was my turn to take a cart by placing my hands in the same place so many others had touched...in one way or another.

I hesitated only a second.

Then I touched the shopping cart handle.

I think I could feel germs crawling up my arms racing toward my face in order to find an orifice in which to enter and contaminate me with horrible germs.

I continued to push the three wheeled cart forward through the store. I say three wheels because one of them was slightly higher than the rest and it never touched the floor. Instead, it just kept spinning around and around like a carousel at a county fair that had gone crazy or maybe that woman's head on the Exorcist.

By the time I checked out with my few items I felt that trying to avoid germs was impossible in a store due to the grimy cart and people who cough and sneeze without covering their mouth or nose.

I'm sure you can guess the first thing I did when I got home...

No! I didn't wash my hands.

I took a bath and watched all those germs go down the drain.

I think there were millions.

Icky!

If I get sick I will have to go back to the same store and buy some tweetment and oinkment.

Didn't see that last one coming did you?

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The Day After

The rain fell all day nearly washing me away with the snow.

With the disappearing snow went Christmas.


The anticipation of Christmas day culminated in its arrival and celebration with family.

We ate, opened gifts, talked and laughed.

One of us ate a piece of all the desserts, had an insulin reaction and went into a very sound sleep.

It felt so nice to just fall into a deep slumber surrounded by loving family.


Now it is back to business as usual except that I am still surrounded by the beauty of Christmas.


And all the crafty mess from making presents which were excitedly received with approval.

That was a relief considering all the time spent trying to get them just right up until the final minutes before Christmas...7:30 a.m.

Next year I will be finished with everything by the end of October the way that I used to do it.

Then there won't be any rush or panic in fear of not being finished with all the gifts.

I will be relaxed.

Rested.

Just waiting...

to put the tree up again.



The best of all gifts
around any Christmas tree:
the presence of a happy family
all wrapped up in each other.~Burton Hillis~

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Merry Christmas

From my family to yours,
I wish you a very Merry Christmas

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. " Luke 2:10-12

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I Spy Something Festive

This holiday season has not been easy for many who are trying to make it during hard economic times.

Are you one of those people who now have the "holiday blues"? It's not just a saying - it is a real condition that happens to millions of people each year.

If you suffer from this sadness, I found a great article to help called "Coping With Depression During the Holidays When Sadness Clashes With Celebration" at WebMD.

I hope that everyone will not put undue pressure on themselves during this holiday season and will just enjoy family and friends in the attitude of thankfulness.

In memory of all the happy Christmas' I've had, especially when my baby was truly a baby, I bring you festive pictures and some of my favorite songs - beginning with, I think, one of the most beautiful...The Snowman.

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The Eyes Are The Windows To The Soul

My eyes are an ocean
in which my dreams are reflected.



Those true eyes
Too pure and too honest
in aught to disguise
The sweet soul shining through them.
~Owen Meredith



Seeing is not always believing.
Sometimes you have to take
a giant leap into the darkness.



The eyes have
one language
everywhere.
~George Herbert~

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If You're Blessed, Take A Minute

Look around you.

Are you blessed?

Thankful?

Then there is something that you can do for someone else that requires very little effort, but can make a huge difference in someone's life...

The life of a sick child.

BlogFrog will donate $10 to The Children's Hospital if I add 20 people to my BlogFrog Community.

That's it!

Just open a BlogFrog account, go to my Community...

Click here to enter my Community

It looks like this...


All you have to do after opening your own BlogFrog is...


Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!
Cha-ching!

That's one cha-ching for each dollar.

$10 will go to the Children's Hospital.

Nothing out of your pocket.

Only takes a few moments of your time.

Besides, we talk to each other in the postings and comments of my blog. This is more interactive and off the cuff. It is actually fun.

But the bottom line is that it costs you nothing, nada, zilch, zero to add $10 donated from BlogFrog to the Children's Hospital.

Here's the official pitch...

"Come interact with other readers of this blog and help The Children's Hospital at the same time! BlogFrog is sponsoring the "Give the Gift of Community" challenge to its members to inspire blog readers to connect with their peers in communities this holiday season. If this blog gets 20 new participants to start or reply to a community discussion, BlogFrog will donate $10 to The Children's Hospital, one of the top 10 hospitals in the country for kids and teens. Don't be shy, hop on over to my community (http://theblogfrog.com/psearch/Community.aspx?blogID=1024359) and meet your fellow readers!"

Did I convince you to give $10 with just a few clicks?

I hope so.

Not everyone is as blessed as I am to have a very healthy child.

Please take that minute.

I will even sweeten the deal. If you sign up, you can add 10 extra entries to any of my next 5 contests including the free postcards running now. Tweet

Always Beautiful

Laugh as much as you breathe
and love as long as you live.

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100 UPrinting Postcards Giveaway

►

Postcards! They are perfect as invitations, thank you cards, or note cards. My generous sponsors at UPrinting.com asked if I would like to host a giveaway and of course I said yes! The great news is that they want to give one of my readers a set of their own custom postcards.

Here are the details:

Giveaway Prize: 100 Postcards for one (1) lucky winner
Size: 4x6;
Paper: 14pt Cardstock Gloss;
Printing: Full color both sides
Shipping: Winner has to pay for shipping

There are so many uses for these fantastic postcards. With Christmas just around the corner, a postcard will be a great way to thank all those people that give you gifts. Maybe you have your own business and you need to send an invitation for a big sale. No matter what you put on the postcards, they will be of the highest quality!

Not only are they14pt cardstock glossy postcards measuring 4x6, but they are full color on BOTH sides! I scanned through the templates and discovered that there are SO MANY to choose from and they are all GREAT! This presents you with endless possibilities for your postcards. It will be so convenient to just sit down at the computer and order postcards online.

So don't waste any time and get started on your entries to win. I'm giving you MANY, MANY ways to enter!!!


How To Enter

Please leave a comment for each entry you complete.

Mandatory Entries:

1. (1 entry) Visit the Uprinting Postcard page and leave me a comment telling me how you would use your postcards if you won.

2. (1 entry) Put The Redhead Riter button on your blog and let me know where to find it when I stop by to say "Hi"

<a href="http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The Redhead Riter" src="http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt308/TheRedHeadRiter/2009%20TEMPLATE/c00d2a73.jpg" /></a>

right click on the mouse, select all, copy, then paste on your site

3. (1 entry) Publicly Follow The Redhead Riter (located in the footer) and leave a comment

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5. (1 entry) Publicly Follow Contests & Giveaways and leave a comment


Extra Entries: Complete as many as you want for more chances to win. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each additional entry

1. (1 entry) Follow Uprinting on Twitter

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3. (1 entry) Become The Redhead Riter's Facebook Fan

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7. (1 entry) Follow @RedheadRiter on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TheRedheadRiter

8. (1 entry per Tweet) Tweet about this giveaway (can be done 3 times per day with at least 2 hours between each tweet. Please leave a link to your tweet)

"Please RT 100 @uprinting Postcards #giveaway http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com/2009/12/100-uprinting-postcards-giveaway.html *ends 1/1"

9. (3 entries) Fave me on Technorati


10. (10 entries) Blog about The Redhead Riter and include information about the current giveaway with a link back to the giveaway (must be at least 100 words long and )

11. (2 entries) Digg me

12. (20 maximum - 1 entry for each comment on non-giveaway post) Leave me a comment on a "Non-Giveaway" post at any of the Blogrolls (which are the blogs listed in the right sidebar) or TheRedheadRiter (http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com) then come back and leave a link to the comment on that posting.

13. (1 entry) Enter this giveaway into any Mr. Linky giveaway list on another blog that it hasn't already been entered (please leave me the link)

14. (10 entries per Blogroll blog) Advertise on one of the Blogroll blogs and leave me a comment letting me know which one(s)

15. (1 entries) Subscribe to The Redhead Riter in an email and leave me a comment letting me know that you did.

Enter your email address:FeedBurner

16. (10 entries each) Vote for my blog for the Bloggers Choice Awards and leave me a comment letting me know which you voted for and the name you used when voting. If you have already done this, THANK YOU. Get someone else to vote for me, leave me their name and you can use that as your 10 entries. You do not have to be a blogger to vote.


17. (3 entries) Follow via Networked Blogs .

18. (5 entries) Join my BlogFrog Community

19. (10 entries) Start a conversation or comment in my BlogFrog Community (it is free to join)


Additional Information:

Giveaway will close January 1, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond. Open to US and Canada only!


Disclaimer: Thank you to UPrinting® for sponsoring this giveaway! I will be receiving 100 Postcards from UPrinting.com for hosting this giveaway. No monetary compensation has been offered or accepted. The opinions above are my own.

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